The church of Saint John the Theologian is situated in the Ano Kamenikia neighbourhood of Serres. It was erected in Ανεγέρθη το 1836, to commemorate the miracle of the prevention of the massacre planned by the Ottomans, on the feast day of the saint, 8 May 1821. The then Metropolitan of Serres Chrysanthos, having learnt beforehand of the Turks’ intentions, protested to the kaymakam of the town and persuaded him to avert the slaughter. The saint was considered the saviour of the population. Saint John the Theologican is a three-aisle basilica with saddle hip roof. In 1919 the women’s gallery (gynaikonites) was added, with wooden floor, and the belfry. The church has a wooden ceiling, elaborately decorated in its north and south aisles. The iconostasis is wood-carved, with singular decoration and colouration. It has three registers of icons, many of them carrying the date 1836. Among the most important ecclesiastical treasures in the church – displayed on the icon-stand – is a double-sided panel icon with the Virgin Hodegetria on the front (late 16th century) and the Life-bearing Source on the back (mid-18th century).
